Financial Aid Options for Military-Connected Students

Army Aviation Association of America Scholarships (AAAA) - The AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation established to render financial assistance for the college-level education of members of the Army Aviation Association of America, Inc. (AAAA), and the spouses, unmarried siblings, unmarried children and unmarried grandchildren of current and deceased AAAA members.

Army Emergency Relief –  Awards scholarships to spouses and dependent children of Service Members on federal active duty, retired, or deceased while in active or retired status.

Army Scholarship Foundation - Scholarships for  spouses and children of regular active duty, active duty Reserve, or active duty National Guard U.S. Army members in good standing  and sons or daughters of former U.S. Army members who received an honorable discharge or medical discharge, or who were killed while serving in the U.S. Army. View website for additional eligibility requirements. 

Army Women's Foundation - Provides  scholarships to women soldiers, past and present, and Legacy Scholarships to their lineal descendants to help them attain their educational goals. View website for additional eligibility requirements. 

Huebner Scholarships - Named for Lieutenant General Clarence L. Huebner, who commanded the Big Red One during World War II, are competitive scholarships for children and grandchildren of former members of the Division as well as children of active-duty First Infantry Division Service Members.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant -  Provide money to college or career school students to assist with education expenses. View special eligibility criteria on the website. 

Ranger Memorial Foundation Scholarship Fund -  The National Ranger Memorial Foundation, Inc. serves U.S. Army Rangers of all eras through recognition in a granite monument, display of Hall of Fame members, scholarships to deserving individuals, and assisting Ranger Families.

Society of the Daughters of the United States Army (DUSA)  - Merit-based, competitive scholarships for the  daughters, granddaughters, stepdaughters or adopted daughters of a career commissioned or warrant officer in the United States Army who is on active duty, retired after at least 20 years active duty service, was medically retired from active duty or died while on active duty. 

Women's Army Corps Veterans Association Scholarship -  Awards scholarships to children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews of Army Service Women. 

Coast Guard Exchange System Scholarship Program – The Program provides scholarships to students who are dependents of Coast Guard active duty, reserve, and military retired members, current civilian NAF and APF employees, and current Coast Guard Auxiliarists that meet eligibility requirements.

Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association -  awards scholarships to the children or grandchildren of current and deceased members of the FRA and LA FRA.

HeroesTribute Scholarship Program for Children of the Fallen – Provides scholarships to children of Marines and veteran Marines who were killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001; Children of Marines and children of Navy Corpsmen attached to a Marine unit, who were killed in combat after September 11, 2001; Children of Navy Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit who were killed in combat on or after September 27, 2008; or Children of Marines who were killed in training after September 27, 2008. Heroes Tribute Scholarship Program for Children of the Fallen applicants must meet the established eligibility criteria, excluding the income eligibility requirement.

Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association -  awards scholarships to the children or grandchildren of current and deceased members of the FRA and LA FRA.

Marine Corps League - Scholarship Program - Provides scholarships to the  children of United States Marines, Navy FMF Corpsman, and Navy Chaplains (Serving with Marine Units) who were killed in action as well as paid members of the Marine Corps League or paid members of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary in good standing.

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation –  Applicants must be the son or daughter of one of the following: Active duty or reserve U.S. Marine; Veteran U.S. Marine who has received an honorable discharge, medical discharge, was wounded, or was killed while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps; Active duty or reserve U.S. Navy Corpsman who is serving or has served with a U.S. Marine unit; Veteran U.S. Navy Corpsman who has served with a U.S. Marine unit and has received an honorable discharge, medical discharge, was wounded, or was killed in the U.S. Navy. View the website for additional eligibility requirements. 

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Programs -  Offers interest-free loans and grants for undergraduate or master's degree at an accredited 2- or 4-year post secondary, technical or vocational institution in the United States. This financial assistance is available for children of active duty, retired or deceased Sailors and Marines; and for spouses of active duty and retired Sailors and Marines. View website for additional eligibility and applicant requirements. 

National Guard Educational Foundation (NGEF) and DRS Technologies, Inc. - Provides college scholarships to the children of National Guardsmen who have been lost in service to our nation since 9/11.

Chief Petty Officer Scholarship Fund  - Candidates eligible for scholarship awards are spouses and children (natural born, adopted or stepchildren) of all Chief Petty Officers. 

Dolphin Scholarship Foundation -  Grants are available, on a competitive basis, to high school or college children/stepchildren (unmarried, under age 24 at time of deadline) of: (1) members or former members of the Submarine Force who have qualified in submarines and have served in the Submarine Force for at least eight years; or of (2) Navy members who have served in submarine support activities (e.g., submarine bases, tenders, and rescue vessels) for a minimum of ten years.

HeroesTribute Scholarship Program for Children of the Fallen – Provides scholarships to children of Marines and veteran Marines who were killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001; Children of Marines and children of Navy Corpsmen attached to a Marine unit, who were killed in combat after September 11, 2001; Children of Navy Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit who were killed in combat on or after September 27, 2008; or Children of Marines who were killed in training after September 27, 2008. Heroes Tribute Scholarship Program for Children of the Fallen applicants must meet the established eligibility criteria, excluding the income eligibility requirement.

Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association -  awards scholarships to the children or grandchildren of current and deceased members of the FRA and LA FRA.

Navy League of the United States - Navy League Councils across the United States provide additional scholarships to students and Sea Cadets in their cities and regions.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Education Programs -  The mission of the Navy- Marine Corps Relief Society's (NMCRS) education programs is to assist eligible Sailors, Marines, and families pursue their academic goals by providing a source of education financing. Both scholarships and no-interest loan programs are available.

Tailhook Education Foundation - To be eligible for consideration for a Tailhook Educational Foundation scholarship, an individual must be a high school graduate and the natural, step, or adopted son, daughter or grandchild of a current or former Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer, or Naval Aircrewman. Also eligible are individuals or children of individuals who are serving or have served on board a U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier in ship’s company or the air wing.

Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation - Wings over America Scholarship Foundation, was established in 1987 to provide college scholarships to dependent children and spouses of all US Navy - officer and enlisted - active duty, retired or deceased who served within Naval Air Forces. Recipients are selected on the basis of scholastic merit and community service. 

AFCEA Educational Foundation and Chapter Scholarships -  The AFCEA has a variety of scholarships, grants and tuition assistance for military-connected students pursing the STEM field.  

Google SVA Scholarship - Scholarship provides assistance to student veterans who are pursuing university degrees in the field of computer science.

American Legion Scholarships – Variety of scholarships available for members of the American Legion, along with their children and spouses. Check with your local American Legion for additional scholarship opportunities.

Academic Top Scholars (ATS) - Accessible to all dependent children, age 24 and under, and all spouses of Active-Duty U.S. military Service Members from all military branches, including the Guard and Reserves.

AMVETS Scholarships –  AMVETS awards scholarships to Veterans/active military, their sons, daughters or grandchildren.  A son, daughter or grandchild of a deceased Veteran is also eligible.

Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation - Providing college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in combat or accidents.  

Council of College and Military Educators (CCME) - Provides scholarships for Servicemembers, Military Spouses, and Veterans who are working towards the completion of higher education degrees.

Fisher House Foundation Scholarship Programs -  Various scholarships provided by Fisher House to military children. Heroes' Legacy Scholarships & military commissary program.

Folds of Honor Foundation -  Folds of Honor Foundation (FHF) provides post-secondary educational scholarships to the spouses and children of Service Members disabled or killed as a result of their military service to our great nation. Scholarships can be applied to schooling now or held by Folds of Honor on behalf of young children until needed at the time of enrollment.

Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund -  Students are eligible if they are the dependent child of an active duty Service Member who was killed or permanently disabled (100%) rating as the result of an operational mission or training accident, or who is currently certified as POW or MIA. 

Hope for the Warriors - Eligibility is based on a spouse or caregiver’s ability to show their post-9/11 service member or veteran sustained a combat-related injury and/or has a 100% permanent and total VA disability rating to include Individual Unemployability.  The Hope For The Warriors Scholarship Program considers a combat-related injury to be an injury caused by armed conflict, hazardous duty, instrumentality of war, and simulated war. Various scholarships available for students pursuing  graduate or post-graduate degrees, students pursuing associates and entry level classes or training, spouses of the fallen, students pursing a Master of Social Work degree, and those seeking a bachelor's degree. 

Horatio Alger Association -  A variety of scholarships available for each state, various degree and certificate programs, and more. 

Military Officers Association of America Scholarships and Grants -  Visit the MOAA Scholarships and Grants site for information on a variety of different scholarships, grants and interest-free loans.

Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship -  The Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship is available to the recipient of a Purple Heart; a direct descendant of a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart or of a Veteran killed in action or who died of wounds; or a spouse or widow(er) of a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) –  The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program provides up to $4,000 (over 2 years) of Financial Assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to employment in portable career fields.

Military Spouse Fellowship Program -  The FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program provides military spouses the opportunity to earn the AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor®) certification - while providing financial counseling and education to the military community. 

National Military Family Association - (NMFA) NMFA scholarship funds are awarded only to military ID-carrying Uniformed Services’ spouses (active duty, retiree, Reserve, National Guard, and/or survivor).

NBCC Foundation Military Scholarship Program - The program provides financial support to students who enroll, or seek to enroll, in a CACREP accredited counseling program during or after military service, and who commit to serving military personnel.

Paralyzed Veterans of America Scholarship - Applicants must be  a p paralyzed Veterans’ member, the spouse of a member, or an unmarried child (under 24 years of age) who is dependent (as defined by the IRS) on the member for principal support gain post-secondary education from accredited colleges and universities across America. 

Pat Tillman Foundation -  Provides scholarships to Veterans and active Service Members of both pre- and post- 9/11 service; Service Members who wish to start, finish, or further their education; Service Members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserve); Service Members pursuing undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, two-year, four-year, public, private, vocational, and trade degrees or certifications; and dependents of Service Members (children and spouses).

Retired Enlisted Association -  View the website for eligibility requirements. 

Special Operations Warrior Foundation - The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) provides college scholarship grants, along with financial aid and educational counseling, to the children of Special Operations personnel who were killed in an operational mission or training accident. 

ThanksUSA.org Scholarships - ThanksUSA “thanks" the men and women of the United States armed forces by awarding need-based college, technical and vocational school scholarships for their children and spouses. 

VA Mortgage Center Scholarship - Offers scholarships to college students with military affiliation, ROTC, and children of military members.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Scholarship Programs -  The Veterans of Foreign Wars has several scholarship programs across the nation.  Visit the site to learn more or contact your local VFW.